Job Description

Title: Director - Communications

Employment Working Location: Remote/Virtual (Atlantic Provinces, Canada)

Employment status: Permanent full time

Salary band: $88,688- $110,860 / year

The Canadian Red Cross (CRC) \xe2\x80\x93 one of the most inspirational not-for-profit organizations on this planet and an awardee on the Forbes list of Canada\xe2\x80\x99s Best Employers 2022 \xe2\x80\x93 is seeking a Director - Communications to join our Communications team.

We are guided by our Fundamental Principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. We help people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and support them in strengthening their resilience.

Starting with the hiring process, we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment where everyone can reach their full potential. We encourage all qualified persons who share our values and want to contribute to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace to apply.

The incumbent will be working with the Senior Director, Corporate Communications and the Vice President for Atlantic Canada. The Director, Communications, Atlantic is responsible for developing, directing and executing external and internal communications strategies in support of Canadian Red Cross operations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island, as well as supporting external and internal communications priorities within a national scope.

In this role, you will:

Responsibility 1: Strategic Communication Planning and Implementation

• Leads the development and execution of communication strategies in support of strategic and operational priorities to further the positive reputation of the Canadian Red Cross in Atlantic Canada.
• Leads the Atlantic-based communications team. Manages, develops, and holds the team accountable to deliver results, and to grow their skills and measure impact.
• Participates as a member of the Leadership Team in Atlantic Canada to keep the team informed of communication strategies, issues and priorities and provide communications expertise.
• Anticipates, mitigates and manages issues affecting the reputation of the organization, with various stakeholders including government, people we serve, internal/external clients, and the general public.
• Leads or support the development and execution of proactive and reactive strategies in consultation with the Senior Director, Corporate Communications, to manage reputational risk.
• Leads the development and execution of proactive strategies to drive positive traditional media coverage, as well as further engagement via digital and social media.
• Drives the development of timely and newsworthy content, relevant editor/producer pitches and social media content that are consistent with Red Cross objectives and brand voice.
• Oversees the creation and dissemination of messaging to support media requests as well as the development and training of Red Cross spokespeople.
• Acts as a spokesperson for the Red Cross, when appropriate.
• Leads the planning and execution of media events targeted at key stakeholders, such as news conferences, media tours, and ceremonies.
• Plays a lead role in branded social media channels and, where appropriate, incorporate digital/social tactics in overall strategy to engage with media, stakeholders and new audiences.
• Liaises with provincial and municipal government communications counterparts to ensure the alignment of public messaging of Red Cross work, as needed.
• Provides leadership to the Atlantic communications team and national digital team on identifying and developing integrated strategies.
• Oversees internal stakeholder engagement in Atlantic Canada, including employees, volunteers and advisory committees, and provide support to national internal communications lead, as needed.

Responsibility 2: Emergency Communications

• During a provincial disaster response, act as the Provincial Disaster Communications Team (PDCT) Lead in developing and disseminating appeal messaging and other communications tools to deliver accurate public information in a timely manner.
• Provide strategic communications guidance and support to the Provincial Operations team with communications requirements, as required, including all aspects of reactive and proactive media relations.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director, Communications, Operations, provide support for emergency response operations on-site or remotely for crisis management, content gathering, high level field visits, communications training, and media relations, as required.

What we are looking for:

• University degree in Communications, English, Public Relations, Journalism or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 10 years experience in public relations/communications.
• Experience in strategic communications, and issues management.
• Experience adapting effectively to change in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience providing strategic communications advice to senior leaders.
• Fluency in English is required, French is an asset.
• Established and relevant media relationships, particularly in the Atlantic market, a definite asset.
• Comprehensive understanding of the needs and workings of TV, print, on-line, and radio media on national, regional and local levels.
• Strong understanding of current and emerging social media channels and the relevance of digital/social channels to media and stakeholder relations.
• Understanding of Indigenous audiences and relationships.
• A valid driver\xe2\x80\x99s license for your province/territory of residence.

Working Conditions:

• Ability to work non-traditional and longer hours, often on short notice, especially during times of emergency response.
• Ability to assume on-call duties on a periodic basis outside of business hours; regular participation in the Atlantic rotation for media inquiries, and the availability to provide coverage for other provincial media inquiries and surge capacity in emergencies.
• Occasional travel for meetings or if on response may be required.
• This position is currently based remotely; however, depending on the location of the successful candidate, in the future there may be the possibility of the position becoming hybrid between remote work and work in a Red Cross office.
• Eligibility to work in Canada: At this time, we welcome applications from candidates eligible to work in Canada. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, we encourage you to carefully review your visa to find out whether you are eligible to work in the job you are considering applying for. Refer to our

for more information. * If you are selected for this role, you will be required to complete a successful pre-employment screening process which includes a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC).

• At this time, the Canadian Red Cross has temporarily suspended our Covid-19 vaccination policy and does not require but continues to strongly encourage full vaccination of all our personnel.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please submit a cover letter in addition to your resume/CV. Those who apply after the selection process has started may be held for a second review if needed OR reviewed for alternative roles. We appreciate the time and effort it takes to apply. Thank you in advance.

If you require accommodation measures during any phase of the hiring process, please notify us as soon as possible. All information received in relation to accommodation requests will be kept confidential.

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Canadian Red Cross